Congress and Akali: cut from the same cloth

Today Akalis are attacking Chief minister Capt. Amrinder Singh over a speech he delivered with a "Khalistan Zindabad" banner hanging behind him at Dixie Road Gurdwara in Ontario Canada. How quickly these chameleons change color, these very same Akalis were sitting next to Sant Bhindrawale, when militancy was at its height in Punjab. These very same Akalis that today are accusing Congress of dividing along race and religion, when they stand aligned with Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party, as friend of Hindustan and united against militancy use to support it for their self interest to get in power.

These Akalis got support from these very same NRIs from Canada and USA, now they are accusing these NRIs of supporting Khalistan and are upset over CM speaking from a podium that displayed a sign to support the movement they were a part of? Talk about hypocrisy!!

I can speak from personal experiences that people like Didar Singh Bains, a very close friend of Mr. Badal and family supported the movement and formed World Sikh Organization that promoted the idea of a separate Sikh state from Yuba City, Califonia. Even today, the Gurdwara at Terra Buena Road in Yuba City has Khalistan stickers on doors etc, left over reminders of Didar Singh Bains' support.

All this should not be taken as my support for Congress or the CM. Congress is up to its old colors as well, and two episodes have shown that clearly. Delhi Police caught Hawara, so in order to save face Punjab Police starts arresting his "accomplices" and by the way, any one who has ever had any contact with him since his escape is now an accomplice.

And secondly, the way the Govt. of Punjab has handled Simranjeet Singh Maan, for his outburst at Akal Takht shows their complete disrespect for human rights and freedom of speech. Congress and Punjab Police should realize that oppressing the movement and putting a lid on a boiling pot does not resolve the underlying issues that gave fuel to the uprising. As long as the social structure does not change, youth don't get jobs and farmers don't get relief there is always a fear of another Sant raising the people. Feeding people Bhangra, Alcohol and drugs will not make them forget the pain of living in Punjab today.

At times like this remember the old slogan "chitay kukar, neelay more, eh vi chor oh vi chor" and don't keep faith in either Congress or Akalis because they are all politician and nothing is more sacred then power to them.

May God Bless Punjab and Punjabis with a true leader, who will put his faith and his people before self interest.

Envision teachers that actually teach

Privatization of any sector in India is met with the same welcome, Protest. This times it’s the teachers of state run schools in Punjab that are up in arms over the fact that the state government is talking to private school management entities. There has been no decision to hand schools over to these entities, the teacher unions are already protesting. Can we say chor de dhari ch tinka…

These teachers are legit in their protest because they very well know that if a private entity were to run schools, they would actually have to teach. God forbid that, that will mean end to sweater knitting, endless gossip breaks and never ending tea breaks. I would challenge most of the teachers in Punjab to pass the board exam they give to the students.

The issue I have with education system is a very fundamental one, its flawed at the core. They are teaching the students ancient knowledge and not vocational or transferable skills. The education in the 21^st century is being given on bare floors with kids in the most uncomfortable position to write or read. The subject have not changed with time, neither has the system to bring in teachers with new skills.

The union has a vested interest in keeping the schools the way they are, because they know private entity will not let their employees, teachers, be part of the union. The unions are the evil left over from the socialist days, we keep them around much like the dogs that the Shepard keeps to herd in the sheep. Ideally the teachers will see the light and take the challenge head on to teach in the privately managed schools, if they are the best candidates for the job. Lets try to focus on the customer of the school, those who pay to reap the benefits — the students — what in their best interest.

If the next generation is to succeed in Punjab, it needs to be educated progressively with skills that are required in the 21^st century. Even if the student is going to grow up to be a farmer we need to give him skills that he can use to be a better farmer than the generation before him, that is progress. Can the teachers honestly say that they are willing to be progressive and do what is right by the future of Punjab?